A/N: This story is Danny centric. Steve doesn't appear until well into the story and there's very little team. You have been warned.

Roscoe, Kumi, Nalu, Ke'aloha, Kibale, Boo, Tatu, Konakona, and Puiwa are the real life chimpanzees of the Honolulu Zoo. None of the chimps were harmed in the writing of this story. Fortunately there is Danny whump. I would like to point out I'm not a chimpanzee expert, my only knowledge of zoos is from visiting them, and I'm not a vet or a medical professional.

A huge thank you to Phoebe Miller for her amazing editing skills and awesome suggestions.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hawaii Five-0 or any of the characters.

Zoo

Chapter One

"Hey, let me have a look." Danny couldn't help but grin as he attempted to take the crumpled brochure from Charlie's hand. His son reminded him of Grace at that age.

"I found them." Charlie tightened his grip. A look of determination on his face.

Grace sighed loudly. "That's a picture of a gorilla, Charlie."

"It's not." Charlie stood on tiptoes and shouted up at his sister.

"I told you already, they're next to the Manyara bird sanctuary." Grace sat down on a nearby bench and rolled her eyes dramatically. "This is taking forever."

"Yes, I heard you the first time." Danny struggled to keep his voice low, his exasperation starting to show.

"And how come you never brought me here?"

Danny raised his eyebrows, shaking his head in bewilderment. What happened to his sweet little girl? "Really? You don't know the answer to that question?"

Grace shrugged her shoulders. "Mum and Step-Stan used to bring me all the time."

The mention of Rachel and Stan had Danny chewing on his bottom lip. He had learned over the years to temper his response to these type of comments from his daughter.

"You were more interested in swimming or spending time at Uncle Steve's house than elephants or chimpanzees."

"Here, Danno." Charlie waved the paper in the air. "I give up."

Danny studied the zoo's layout for a second. "Your sister's right. It's along this path, on the left."

"I told you so." Grace sing-songed. With a flick of her long dark hair she stood up and purposely strode away.

"Yeah, but me and Charlie would have found them eventually. Wouldn't we Tiger?" Danny held out his hand and Charlie enthusiastically high-fived his dad.

"I'm hungry, Danno." Charlie whined.

"Me too, buddy." Danny stopped momentarily to take another look at the map.

"There's a snack bar opposite the chimps." Grace shouted. She was now way ahead of her dad and brother.

Danny shook his head and stuffed the brochure in the back pocket of his jeans. He grabbed Charlie's hand and gave it a gentle tug. "Come on, we'd better catch up to your big sister."

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"You never mentioned anything about me leaving him here with you." Carrie Chapman reached for her seven year old son. Heavily pregnant, she winced slightly as the movement sent a twinge of pain down her spine. "Joe, Mommy will take you to get a burger."

"I want to stay with Daddy. He promised to let me feed the giraffes." The red haired boy jumped up and down excitedly in front of his dad.

"Daddy's working." Carrie took the boy's hand. "I'll take you to see the giraffes after we've eaten."

"But Daddy promised." Tears welled up in Joe's eyes, and his lips began to quiver.

They stood at the side of the pathway leading visitors around the attractions at the Honolulu Zoo.

"Hey, don't go getting upset. Daddy's still gonna take his special little guy to see all the animals." Dominic Chapman spoke to his son in a sweet little voice all the while glaring at his wife.

"This is not what we planned. You just wanted to say hi."

Dominic shoved both hands in his shorts' pockets. "I specifically asked you to bring him today so he could see me at work."

"You stink of booze, Dom. How are you even working?"

"That's rich. Our unborn child hasn't stopped you from drinking. And you don't give it a second thought when you're lighting up. That's right. I know you didn't quit."

"How would you know? You were never around even before I threw you out." Carrie unconsciously rubbed her tummy.

Joe wriggled free of his mother's hold and used the back of his hand to wipe his runny nose. He looked from one parent to the other, tears streaming down his cheeks, forgotten between them as they continued to throw accusations at one another. Suddenly, Dominic grabbed his son's wrist and headed toward the chimpanzee viewing area.

"I forgot to mention. Joe's living with me now." Dominic glared over his shoulder as he walked away pulling the boy along with him.

"Let him go, Dom. You're gonna hurt him." Carrie rushed forward and clawed at her husband's arm in an attempt to stop him.

Dominic shoved Carrie almost knocking her to the ground. A few passersby watched, but no one intervened.

"Mommy." Joe fought against his father's strong grip as he was hauled along, his feet barely touching the ground.

"Dom, no! Leave him alone. Somebody help, please! He's taking my son." Carrie pleaded with those around her.

Nearby families ushered their children away, many of them tourists, reluctant to get involved in what looked like a domestic dispute. Others pulled out their cell phones to take video.

"Hey, why don't you do as the lady asked?" A middle aged man approached. "You're upsetting your son."

"Get the fuck away from me. This is between me and my wife." Dominic practically growled the last word. Giving his son's arm a sharp tug as he continued to squirm.

"Then let the kid go." The man wasn't perturbed by Dominic's aggressive stance and planted himself in front of Carrie.

Dominic now stood with his back to the screen which separated the chimpanzee enclosure from the public. Sweating profusely, he reached behind his back, lifting the hem of his shirt.

"You're h-hurt-ing m-me, daddy." Joe hiccupped. He was practically hanging by one arm unable to break free of his father's fierce hold.

"Harming a child and a pregnant woman make you feel like a big man, huh?" The guy pointed to Joe and took a couple of steps towards Dominic.

"Chapman, what the hell's going on?" Another member of staff rounded the corner wearing the same green polo shirt and beige shorts as Dominic. The guy held a walkie talkie in his hand.

"Keep out of this Monroe. It's between Carrie and me."

"I won't. Not when you should be working. Let Joe go or I'll call security."

Monroe keyed the radio, but stopped short when he recognized the black grip of a gun protruding from Dominic's waistband.

Losing patience, the good samaritan made a grab for the boy. Dominic reacted instantly, letting go of Joe and swinging a semi-automatic pistol in the guy's face. "Back off."

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Joe was finally released from his father's painful clutches, but instead of running he jammed himself behind his dad's long legs. Face pressed up against the plexiglass, he peered at the one chimpanzee sitting and watching the commotion.

He attempted to block out the angry voices and his mother's sobs by bringing both hands up to cover his ears. Joe did his best to focus on the brown eyes staring back at him. The chimps were quiet compared to the grown ups. He pictured the animals looking in on caged adults. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly at that errant thought.

"Puiwa." Joe mouthed the word, his warm breath misting the glass.

Joe loved the zoo's animals. Blackie the bear and Mari the elephant were two of his favorites, but the chimps were at the top of his list, and he could remember all of their names. His eyes roamed the barren landscape until he spotted the others all gathered together by their very own climbing area, ropes and tires swaying overhead. Roscoe, Kumi, Nalu, Ke'aloha, Kibale, Boo, Tatu, Konakona.

"Puiwa." Joe said the last name out loud this time. His eyes once again came to rest on that single chimp sitting in front of him.

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"Take it easy." The man took a full step back, hands raised high.

"This is your fault, Carrie. I knew you would do this, cause a scene. So I came prepared." Dominic aimed the gun at Monroe. "Open the gate."

"No way. You crazy sonuvabitch."

"Yeah, crazy enough to put a bullet between your eyes if you don't do as I ask." Dominic closed the gap between them, pressing the cool steel against Monroe's temple.

Monroe's hands trembled as he punched in the code for the security gate to the side of the viewing platform. The second the lock clicked open Dominic snatched Joe's hand and dragged him into the chimpanzee's domain. Carrie's screams could barely be heard above the roar of the now frenzied animals.

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Charlie ignored his dad's demands not to look. He was mesmerized, and maybe a little scared - not that he'd admit it - by the chaotic scene ahead. Visitors to the park were leaving in droves by the nearest exits, while his dad stood at his side talking animatedly to his sister.

"Do as I ask, Grace. Uncle Steve and the rest of the team are on their way. I told him you'd be waiting in the administration office. A member of staff will take you there." Danny shot a quick glance at Charlie. "What did I say? Turn around."

Charlie did as he was told. Huffing loudly and letting his shoulders slump forward to demonstrate his disappointment.

"Why can't you wait? You don't have your gun. Please Danno. HPD will be here any second." Grace pleaded with her father.

"Grace you know why. I can't risk someone getting shot. Anyhow I'm not going in unarmed."

"It's not a real gun. And have you seen the size of those things?"

"Danno, do you think they'll let you pet them?" Charlie's face lit up in anticipation of the answer.

"Don't be so dumb, Charlie." Grace looked away, blinking rapidly in a vain attempt not to cry.

Her change in demeanor didn't go unnoticed. Danny felt a wave of guilt wash over him. Yet another day with his children affected by his job. "Hey, give your dad a hug. I'll be fine."

"Please be careful." Grace rested her head against her dad's chest letting her tears wet his t-shirt. "And save the little boy."

Danny squeezed her tight before letting go and bending down to embrace Charlie. "Stay close to Grace, buddy."

Grace took a tissue from her purse and wiped her eyes before taking her brother's hand.

"I'll take care of them, Detective Williams." The female staffer gave the two children a sympathetic smile.

"Thank you." Danny watched the small group walk away.

"Detective Williams. We have everything ready to go." A member of the zoo's emergency weapons team held up a tranquilizer gun.

~ to be continued ~